Ex Propecia user help needed

[dp1286]

Hi guys


Little update I have been on testogel for 8 weeks now


A little improvement in the ED now but not significant - I am now going to push to try cialis


One problem I am now experiencing is sore knees? Is this a thyroid or estrogen problem - bearing in mind I had low estrogen to start with


Let me know your thoughts


Thanks

 

[CoastWatcher]

Hi guys


Little update I have been on testogel for 8 weeks now


A little improvement in the ED now but not significant - I am now going to push to try cialis


One problem I am now experiencing is sore knees? Is this a thyroid or estrogen problem - bearing in mind I had low estrogen to start with


Let me know your thoughts


Thanks

Sore knees??? In isolation it's impossible to answer your question.

TRT can, and does, help erectile issues. In many, probably most, it does not fully resolve the challenge. In my own case, I reduced my Cialis dose, but have not eliminated it.

 

[dp1286]

Its like joint pain and they are swollen coastwatcher?

Is that from thyroid or excess estrogen do you think? I am not using an AL

 

[CoastWatcher]

Its like joint pain and they are swollen coastwatcher?

Is that from thyroid or excess estrogen do you think? I am not using an AL

You noted that you had low estradiol to start with, so, if you are responding to topical testosterone your E2 should be rising (as it should). You had no soreness in your knees before therapy started, right? It seems highly unlikely the discomfort you're experiencing is the result of low estradiol. It is equally unlikely, I would think, that your dealing with elevated E2 - not this quickly.

 

[johndoesmith]

You noted that you had low estradiol to start with, so, if you are responding to topical testosterone your E2 should be rising (as it should). You had no soreness in your knees before therapy started, right? It seems highly unlikely the discomfort you're experiencing is the result of low estradiol. It is equally unlikely, I would think, that your dealing with elevated E2 - not this quickly.

If he is responding(and that's a big IF with topicals) you're right, E2 should rise, I think it's entirely likely his test is about the same or lower than what it was before testogel. Therefore keeping his E2 still low :\

OP, 8 weeks is long enough on gels to reorder labs.

 

[dp1286]

Im getting my bloods done this week guys so Ill update you when I get those results

My mum and sister both have underactive thyroid and my score was 2.86, could it be TRT has made my thyroid worse

Thanks for all your help guys - it really means alot

 

[CoastWatcher]

Im getting my bloods done this week guys so Ill update you when I get those results

My mum and sister both have underactive thyroid and my score was 2.86, could it be TRT has made my thyroid worse

Thanks for all your help guys - it really means alot

It has been pointed out that you need a full thyroid workup, many more labs than a TSH. Your family history of thyroid abnormalities is a red flag that cries for attention. As do so many other issues that you present with. To simply apply a topical testosterone gel and hope for the best is not sound medicine. Please dig deeper, preferably with a doctor who has experience dealing with post-finasteride syndrome issues.

 

[dp1286]

Thanks Coastwatcher - Im getting T3,T4 and Testosterone and Estrogen done on friday. Ive also just ordered a 24 hour cortisol online too

It beggars belief really. Im in the UK seeing a private endo and ive had to practically beg and get quite heated to get my T3 and T4. I had my first thyroid test done 7 months ago

 

[johndoesmith]

Thanks Coastwatcher - Im getting T3,T4 and Testosterone and Estrogen done on friday. Ive also just ordered a 24 hour cortisol online too

It beggars belief really. Im in the UK seeing a private endo and ive had to practically beg and get quite heated to get my T3 and T4. I had my first thyroid test done 7 months ago

Probably a typo, but you want "estradiol" not "estrogen".

 

[dp1286]

Guys I stupidly forgot to mention I had started Citrolopam anti depressant 7 days ago 20mg a day!

I didnt connect the dots but could this be causing the joint pain in my knees and hands? I was getting slight knee swollen pain 14 days ago but has this possibly made it worse?

Thanks again guys

 

[dp1286]

Really struggling with the joint pain in my knees and had guys now - it just feels like they are inflamed and awakward to move.

As mentioned I had low e before but did not have these issues then Oestradiol 46 LOW (99-192pmol/L)

2 months into testogel and Im now seeing this problem so I can only assume its from E getting to high now?

Let me know as im really in a bad place here

 

[johndoesmith]

Really struggling with the joint pain in my knees and had guys now - it just feels like they are inflamed and awakward to move.

As mentioned I had low e before but did not have these issues then Oestradiol 46 LOW (99-192pmol/L)

2 months into testogel and Im now seeing this problem so I can only assume its from E getting to high now?

Let me know as im really in a bad place here

I'm confused, you're saying that when you had low E2 before, you didn't get joint pain, thus you don't think you have low E2 now?

I think your E2 is still too low, because you're not a responder to gels, which happens to a lot of guys. Therefore it's possible your E2 is even lower than before, explaining the joint pain.

Do you have any other symptoms?

 

[dp1286]

Ok thank you - I assumed that as I was now on TRT my E2 would only increase.

Can I ask do you think its possible my bodys E2 level is naturally supposed to be that low?

I was on propecia which has done something very bad to which the only clue is Low E2, would that indicate that Propecia has lowered my T level as E correlates with T????

 

[johndoesmith]

Ok thank you - I assumed that as I was now on TRT my E2 would only increase.

You would be correct.

Can I ask do you think its possible my bodys E2 level is naturally supposed to be that low?

Do you feel normal? Do you feel that where you were at, was where you were supposed to be?

Low E2 is fairly dangerous, in that it contributes to bone loss and is linked to higher all cause mortality in older men.

I was on propecia which has done something very bad to which the only clue is Low E2, would that indicate that Propecia has lowered my T level as E correlates with T????

It's possible, I don't know much about propecia though. You'd also need to have had a lab test done for testosterone before propecia in order to know. IF you don't have that then there's absolutely no way to know if the propecia caused it, or if your testosterone would have dropped anyway during that time, it might be coincidental but with the amount of information out there about propecia I doubt it.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Doctors treating men who have taken propecia have observed that restoration of blood levels can be a challenge for some (not all) of these patients. They also note that the impact propecia plays on DHT is frequently profound and can be long-lasting. Again, this is hormonal medicine being discussed; we are still trying to come to terms with the impact finasteride has in male health. Individual variation is likely the rule.

As as has been noted here, a doctor with experience treating men with post-finasteride syndrome may be able to offer you more insight than you have received so far.

 

[dp1286]

Thanks guys! Honestly dont know what I would do without this advice my endo is no help

Would Low E2 mean I have Low T also though as dont they correlate with each other?
Is there anything else that can cause Low E I should be aware of?

Has propecia literally destroyed my hormones and taken them to the level of an old old fragile man?

Can anyone recommend any propecia syndrome docs in the uk?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Thanks guys! Honestly dont know what I would do without this advice my endo is no help

Would Low E2 mean I have Low T also though as dont they correlate with each other?
Is there anything else that can cause Low E I should be aware of?

Has propecia literally destroyed my hormones and taken them to the level of an old old fragile man?

Can anyone recommend any propecia syndrome docs in the uk?

The most recent numbers I'm familiar with suggest that something like 20% of those men taking finasteride will develop hormonal/sexual side-effects. I don't know how accurate that number is; there do seem to be a lot of men dealing with persistent challenges that arose in the wake of their taking finasteride.

It is a challenge to treat. If you google finasteride or post-finasteride you will find a number of excellent forums devoted just to that. The members of those boards are far more conversant and knowledgeable on the topic than most of us - we have very few threads devoted to the subject.

Given the challenge finasteride poses, I don't think one can fully answer your question in regard to prognosis. We aren't doctors. You have to find a good doctor and sort out what is actually going on. While I believe it should be possible to find such a physician in the UK, would you be willing to travel (EU) if necessary? I have contacted someone I know in south Kensington, he is in the medical field, to see what might be known.

 

[dp1286]

Coastwatcher you are a legend!

Yes I am willing to travel for any help out there

 

[CoastWatcher]

Have you raised the question of the post-finasteride syndrome with your current physician?

 

[johndoesmith]

Thanks guys! Honestly dont know what I would do without this advice my endo is no help

Would Low E2 mean I have Low T also though as dont they correlate with each other?
Is there anything else that can cause Low E I should be aware of?

Has propecia literally destroyed my hormones and taken them to the level of an old old fragile man?

Can anyone recommend any propecia syndrome docs in the uk?

I'd recommend finding a new endo! Although that's easier said than done especially in the UK.

E2 is made from testosterone. So low test usually means low E2, but not always. Low E2 does NOT = low test.

Also low test does not ALWAYS = low E2. There are a few combinations possible, each with different causes, and if you understand the negative feedback loop, it will make sense, so I'd suggest reading about that.

If you want, I'll give a short explanation.